Fernand Leger (1881-1955, French)

Après le déluge, from "Les Illuminations" by Arthur Rimbaud, 1949
Lithograph with pochoir and unique hand-coloring in gouache on cream wove paper, unidentified watermark, under Plexiglas
Signed and inscribed in pencil in the lower right corner: F. Leger / bon définitif; ink stamped, as well as signed and inscribed in pencil on the verso by the publisher; Louis Grosclaude at Editions de Gaules, Lausanne, Switzerland, pub.
Image/Sheet: 13" H x 9.75" W

Provenance: The Estate of William J. Solloway
Private Collection, New York, NY, acquired from the above

Literature: cf. Saphire 24-38, pp. 258-267

Notes: The pencil inscription and signature by Grosclaude on the verso appears to read: Colorée par l'artiste / Bon définitif [indistinct] / Fernand Léger pour Les / Illuminations de Rimbaud / Mars 1949 / L. Grosclaude.

395 examples of "Les Illuminations," written by Arthur Rimbaud and illustrated Fernand Leger, were published in 1949, including both standard and deluxe editions.

The French poet Arthur Rimbaud (1854-1891), who is regarded as a key member of the Symbolist movement, wrote the forty prose and two free-verse poems known as "Les Illuminations"Â when he was in his late teens. While the collection of poems was first published in 1886 without the author's knowledge, "Les Illuminations"Â is now considered a masterpiece of Modernist poetry that firmly established Rimbaud's reputation as one of France's great poets.

In 1949, the Swiss publisher Louis Groschaude commissioned the French artist Fernand Leger to create a series of fifteen illustrations that were to accompany a reprinting of â€Å“Les Illuminations.â€Â This work, which accompanied the poem "Apres Le Deluge," was one of nine illustrations that were individually hand-colored for a small deluxe edition of Groschaude's printing of "Les Illuminations."
Condition Report: Good condition. The sheet with deckled edges on two sides. Appears to be very slightly trimmed along the left edge. Pale toning and slight mat staining, both recto and verso. Scattered small and generally unobtrusive spots of reverse staining in the face at right. Small remains of clear tape from previous mounting at the upper sheet corners, verso. The sheet is loose, secured to the overmat with small pocket corners.

Frame: 25" H x 21" W x 1.25" D